During my last semester at Furman University I got the opportunity to work on a real-life multimedia consulting project with the Furman University Counseling Center! In order to start this project, my group conducted client and audience research through a survey.
Our group was able to survey over 100 students at Furman University and
35% of students said that they do not know what services the Counseling Center offers
28% of students do not even know where the counseling center is located
Almost half of the students stated that they do not know how to get in touch with the Counseling Center
As a result of these shocking statistics, we decided to help the Counseling Center and worked with them throughout the entire semester to create a project proposal and plan for execution.
The Steps
The first step that my group took was to figure out our team's unique strengths and talents. I was in charge of developing numerous graphic designs, shooting drone footage, creating a brand kit, and making a logo. Alanna Rose Chiapini was in charge of shooting photography/videography, editing footage, and creating various social media posts. Madi Grogan was in charge of writing the storylines, creating a consent card and managing the videography for our videos.
The second step, our team met with the Counseling Center to create our goals for the semester. Our team came up with three goals that we would work on over the entire semester.
Educate: educate students about the Counseling Center's purpose, services, location and hours.
Advertise/Brand: advertise and brand the Counseling Center to increase the Counseling Center's awareness on campus.
Teach: teach Pathway Staff & students how to access TAOconnect & how to deliver the Stress Management Module.
The third step was to create a well-written project proposal that included an outline of our deliverables, a timeline, and a strong plan for execution. This proposal was based on our preliminary research, client meetings, our team's strengths and weaknesses, creative ideas and the feasibility of achieving our goals described. After this step was completed, our group was able to present our proposal to a feedback group and the Furman Counseling Center. Our deliverables included:
Survey of Furman Students -9/6
Brand Kit - 9/8
3-Sided Pamphlet on Counseling Center - 9/15
TAO Connect Steps Graphic - 9/15
How to book an appointment graphic- 9/15
Graphics For Sextacular Event - 10/19
PSA Video on Consent - 10/20
Debunking Myths video - 10/31
Edits for Both Videos - 11/22
Presentation to the Counseling Center - 11/22
The fourth step included the pre-production of creating our brand kit, writing scripts for our video, finding actors, organizing b-roll as well as our storyboard and developing outlines for our graphics. In the pre-production step, I specifically worked on the brand kit for the Counseling Center by incorporating some elements of Furman University’s Brand Standards. This included the typography, a color pattern, a unique pattern, logo, and summarized brand kit. I then was able to use this brand kit to create outlines for two graphics for the Counseling Center. The first graphic was on how to book an appointment and the second graphic was a 3-sided pamphlet on the Counseling Center’s services, location, purpose, and the importance of mental health in students.
The fifth step included the production, where our team worked together to create the majority of our project’s content. This included the clips for our videos, photography for our graphics, interviews for our audio, and the finalization of our graphics and brand kit. Once this step was completed we were able to get more feedback from our feedback group and client
The strong feedback that our group received allowed us to embark on step six which was the post-production. This allowed our group to re-film some scenes in our video, edit our scripts, and improve our editing tactics. In addition, these steps helped our group to create a better final project for the Counseling Center in order to guarantee that it met their standards and went above their expectations.
Overall Reflections
After reflecting on this project I was able to learn how to better collaborate with my group to reach a common goal and how to communicate effectively in order to get things done as well as meet deadlines.
When it came to working and consulting with the Counseling Center I learned how to be flexible and be willing to adapt my perspectives for the client. I also learned that it is important to do constant revisions and always be improving your work.
Our team worked as a group by having weekly meetings and planning ahead. We would make decisions through clear verbal and written communication to each other and clear reasonings for our thoughts and creative process. I will use this experience in my future career with Adobe as a Business Development Representative when collaborating with various customers and trying to meet their unique needs and problems. Small group communication is a huge skill that I will use after my graduation to work efficiently and effectively in order to succeed in my role. This project taught me how to stay organized and follow my pre-written plan of deliverables and timeline. If I can keep this same habit of creating checklists, making plans and coming up with a timeline to get projects done this will allow me to be successful in my new upcoming career.
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